The Foraker Group

In an effort to help Alaska’s nonprofit leaders feel more comfortable “lifting their voices” to support their organizations and the sector, we have revised some of our advocacy classes. If it’s been a while since you took an advocacy class, or you want to learn more about how to conduct effective advocacy, consider our class “Building a Culture of Advocacy” which will be offered onsite in Anchorage on Sept. 3. Now is the time to work at least some time into your schedule to focus attention on public issues affecting you and the sector. In this course you will learn more about the important link between active advocacy and meeting mission, and how to build a stronger and more effective internal Culture of Advocacy within your organization. Does your board… Read more »

Many things distinguish us as individual nonprofits – the type of service we provide, our location, the length of time we have been in business, the number of staff we have, the size of our boards. Still, as nonprofits there are at least six characteristics that let us know we are one. What I appreciate about the six is that they are framed in the positive. Often our sector is framed by what we are not, i.e. NOT-for-profit, or in the case of international organizations known as NGOs, NOT a government entity. As a result, some scholars have tried to retitle our sector in a more positive light – the social sector, the independent sector, or as Adam Braun said in a recent talk in Anchorage, “the purpose sector.” These… Read more »

Foraker released Preparing to Fund Your Capital Project in Alaska and Beyond in April 2015; the revised version of the guide is now available. Building a new facility for your organization – or remodeling or renovating a current structure – is a major undertaking. In many cases, it’s a journey into a world filled with terminology, infrastructure, and decisions that are new to many staff and board members. As with other types of fundraising, securing the money needed for a major capital project is managed by a certain set of rules, vocabulary, and timelines. More often than not, you do not have all the training and experience you need to feel comfortable on this venture. That’s okay. The intent of this guide is not to compile all the wisdom and rules of fundraising for a capital… Read more »

Foraker will release the fall community class schedule in August. Please help us to create a schedule that fits the needs of you and your organization by filling out a short online survey. Complete the survey to be entered into a drawing for a free two hour class. The survey is now closed. Thank you for your feedback. … Read more »

Hello everyone. Thank you. I want to start my first communication with you by giving thanks because as I assume my new role as Foraker’s President and CEO, my heart is full of gratitude and my head is full of ideas. From the moment my selection was announced, the outpouring of support and ideas that came from so many of you has been incredible. I am listening. Succession in any organization can be a challenge, but the challenge is often not just relegated to the hiring of the new staff leader – it’s also all the other changes that can come alongside this shift. During this time of transition, I know my job is to focus on what is open for change and what should never change. If you have… Read more »

Laurie Wolf has begun her tenure as President/CEO of The Foraker Group. Laurie has been with Foraker for 14 years. She will be transitioning from the Vice President/Chief Operating Officer role to the Chief Executive Officer as of July 1. Welcome, Laurie!… Read more »

Today is Dennis McMillian’s last day as Foraker’s CEO. We are so grateful for his leadership. Dennis’ 100+ President’s Letters to the sector are a small glimpse of the insight and impact he has had over the years. Thank you Dennis, for sharing your passion and inspiring us all…. Read more »

Giving USA’s annual report on philanthropy is a publication on the sources and uses of charitable giving in the United States. The report finds that philanthropy in America has experienced one of the most significant jumps in recent history, at an estimated 7.1 percent. To view the report highlights, click here. To purchase the full report, visit the Giving USA website.    … Read more »

Few nonprofit organizations in Alaska have the resources to employ enough people to meet all their management needs. The Foraker Group’s shared services can fill those gaps. We are now accepting new clients for financial management. If you are in need of accounting assistance, contact Raju Shankar, Foraker’s CFO, at 907-743-1247 to set up an appointment…. Read more »

Jeff Jesse, the CEO of the Alaska Mental Health Trust and a Foraker board member reminds us, “How can I miss you if you never leave?” It is official, my last day as the CEO of The Foraker Group is June 30. In recent newsletters, I expressed an opinion that some Baby Boomers hold onto their positions too long because their job defines their identity. That in itself is not a problem for the institution but it could impact judgment about the best time to leave. But for certain, anyone whose life is their job probably needs to pay more attention to work-life balance. And leaders who believe their presence is required for the organization’s success are both delusional and ineffective. The most important job of the exec is developing the… Read more »